Should I Still Have Swelling One Year After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Swelling can last a long time after a tummy tuck.  You can use your scar as a barometer.  If it is still red and elevated, the healing process is still active and swelling is present wherever the operation took the surgeon.  If you are not getting better from month to month, you may want to get another opinion.

Hello lifetimer, thank you for your question regarding swelling one year post-tummy tuck surgery. It's understandable to feel concerned about persistent swelling and discomfort this long after surgery.

Swelling after a tummy tuck can last for several months, but typically, it should significantly reduce within the first six months. However, every individual heals differently, and some residual swelling can persist for up to a year or even longer, especially if there were multiple procedures done simultaneously, such as liposuction, body lift, and thigh lift.

The swelling you are experiencing, which fluctuates throughout the day, could be due to several factors, including fluid retention, scar tissue formation, or even your body's response to the extensive surgery. It's also possible that your daily activities and diet exacerbate the swelling.

Persistent pain and significant swelling this far out from surgery should not be dismissed. It might be helpful to get a second opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon to rule out any complications such as seroma (fluid accumulation), lymphedema, or other issues that might be contributing to your symptoms.

In the meantime, maintaining a healthy diet low in sodium, staying hydrated, and wearing compression garments as recommended by your surgeon can help manage swelling. Gentle massages, if approved by your doctor, might also aid in reducing fluid build-up and softening any scar tissue.

It's great to hear that you are committed to your health and fitness routine. Keep monitoring your symptoms, and please don't hesitate to seek further medical advice if the swelling and discomfort persist.

I hope this information helps you understand what might be causing your prolonged swelling and guides you towards the next steps for your recovery.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

It’s unusual for pain and swelling to persist for more than twelve
months following abdominoplasty surgery. When this situation arises, patients
should be evaluated to rule out other conditions such as chronic seromas and
abdominal wall hernias.Unfortunately,
it’s virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation without pre-and
post –operative pictures and a physical examination. Under these circumstances,
it might be reasonable to obtain a second opinion from a board certified
plastic surgeon.This surgeon should be
able to evaluate your situation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.

Hi Lifetimer,In my practice, most patients will be placed in an abdominal
binder, which they will wear the first week. There is usually a fair amount of
swelling and the binder should be opened several times a day so that there are
no pressure points. After the first 7 to 10 days the patient is placed in an
elastic garment for compression over the next six weeks.

Swelling can persist for several months and
will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and
even one year. Frequently the pubic area and the scrotal and penis area for men
can become very swollen and discolored during the first two weeks due to
gravity as this is the lowest area for swelling to accumulate.

In my experience most clients can return to full activity without
restrictions at 6 weeks, although every individual heals differently. In my opinion, your swelling should be evaluated by a physician. I suggest an ultrasound, MRI and/or CT to determine the cause of your swelling. You need to contact your physician for further evaluation.#swelling #recovery #sideeffct

This is a very extensive surgical procedure and it does require a prolonged recovery but I am not certain as to why you would be experiencing  these type of symptoms one year later. They do not appear to necessarily be associated with the surgery but you may want to consider an evaluation by a gastroenterologist as well.

Significant swelling one year after a tummy tuck and liposuction is not normal.  Swelling (edema) can last up to 6-12 months after surgery especially if liposuction is also performed.  However, most noticeable swelling has resolved after 1-2 months and continues to improve from that point.  The "swelling" you are describing may actually be another condition.  It may be a weakening of your abdominal wall leading to a bulge or even hernia.  Also, it may be a organized fluid collection called a seroma.  This fluid collection is different from swelling in that it is fluid located in a defined space versus generalized fluid spread throughout your tissue.  Either of these conditions may be revealed through imaging studies such as an ultrasound or CT scan.

Swelling after a tummy tuck should be completely resolved within several months after the procedure.  Sometimes cyclic swelling like you are describing can continue maybe for as long as 4-6 months but eventually resolves as well.

A few things to consider:

1) you say you have lost 134 lbs, but has your weight been increasing over time -- that can contribute to a "swelling" feeling

2) you may need to see your primary care doctor to make sure that you don't have any other health issues that could contribute to this problem.

You describe a focal region of swelling and pain one year after a TT, and this varies with time of day, body position etc. This sounds like a seroma, which is a fluid collection between the abdominal soft tissues and the muscles of the abdominal wall. A abdominal ultrasound is a good place to start when trying to diagnose seromas. 

On the other hand, I have seen body lift patients that have persistant edema of the abdominal flap and mons region many months post-op. This regional edema is probably related to disruption of lymphatic vessels during these circumferential procedures. This problem resolves spontaneously, but sometimes very slowly.

Get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon if you feel your questions are not being answered by your first surgeon.

Certain positions can cause
some discomfort.  Sit straight and try to
get up to move frequently, this will help with the swelling.

Most swelling should have subsided by 1 year.  Visit your doctor to assess you. Best of luck, Dr. Michael OmidiAn in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.